The government today said that there has been a sustained decline in COVID-19 cases in India since mid-September. Briefing media in New Delhi, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, active cases are less than 3 lakh after 163 days.

He said, in many countries, the cases per million is more than 50 thousand per million but in India cases per million population are 7 thousand 300 which is amongst the lowest in the world. The world's average is 9 thousand 6 hundred 97. 

The Secretary said, in the last 7 weeks, the average daily new cases have shown a continuous decline in the country. He said, only 24 thousand 1 hundred 35 new cases were registered between 16 and 22nd December against 46 thousand 3 hundred one cases registered between 4 and 10th November.

Mr Bhushan said, India's death per million population is also amongst the lowest in the world, standing at 106, while the global average is 216. He said, more than 16.3 crore tests have been conducted. 

 
Member (Health) in NITI Aayog Dr. VK Paul said the new strain of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom has increased transmissibility. He said this mutation is not affecting the severity of the disease and case fatality is not affected by this mutation. Dr. Paul said the new strain of Coronavirus seen in the United Kingdom has not been seen in India so far.

There is no cause for concern, no need to panic but there is a need to remain vigilant. He said, as of now, it has no impact on the potential of the emerging vaccines.